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Clare Smith

Training Body & Soul

Renovated but not restored: the trick to the transformation

April 15, 2014

My husband is a huge DIY’er. He has major talent in both creating things from scratch and up-cycling objects that I thought were dead and gone! He watches HGTV quite often and the other day, I heard a gal on a show say this,

“I not only renovate old houses, but restore them.”

As my husband was drooling over the project she was working on, my brain went straight into over-drive about this post. 🙂 The quote initially may not mean much to you, especially in regards to what I typically blog about, but I’d like to offer some insight on what it meant to me!

Renovated but not restored: The trick to the transformation : www.claresmith.me

(Photo taken by my friend Christina of Grace Designs Photography!)

We often refer to our bodies as temples and even tents, so I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to also consider them our house! In the pursuit of us renovating our “houses”, I find that many of us forget to restore them because they are 2 different things. It’s why we see so many “fit and healthy” people still waging war from deep within, and many “un-fit and non-healthy” people struggling in their journey!

Not sure what I mean? Let’s take a look at the definitions from dictionary.com:

• renovate: to reinvigorate; refresh; revive.

• restore: to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition,

You may not notice that much of a difference between the two words, and in fact, use them interchangeably however I’d suggest one big difference between them–renovation takes something and just merely makes it better while restoration takes a broken, old thing and not only cleans it up, but also takes it back to the original state. There’s consideration to what the original Designer had in mind as it’s brought full circle.

As we go through the process of changing our bodies and our health habits, it’s very easy to just renovate: change some habits here, add a new exercise there, create a firmer belly, and get a good grip on that sweet tooth! Can we do that without going back to what the Original Designer had in mind? Sure, but how often does this satisfy us?

However, those who are motivated, encouraged, and equipped by the great RESTORER will find much greater purpose and reason behind the renovation. I think of Psalm 127:1:

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”

I do not want to build or renovate my “house” in vain! My body will be 6 feet under ground soon but my spirit will live on for eternity! The tendency will be for me to go throughout my life building my house in vain–doing things just for my own good and glory, lacking any substance. Friends, when we do this, I not only miss out on earthly long-term success (which I truly believe comes with seeking our Creator in our health journey) but also miss on the eternal glory.

Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1 www.claresmith.me

The questions I have for you today are:

1) Are you renovating “your house” but not restoring your soul?

2) Are you consulting the Original Designer in your plans?

One important note: How do we know what the original designer had in mind? We consult the manual that has His notes and details laced throughout! Friends, get in the Word of God! And unlike many folks who physically restore houses, cars, and antiques, we have the unique ability to ASK the Creator!  We have the great privilege of meeting with the ultimate Restorer for our souls at any time of the day! Please do not miss out on this step during your daily pursuit in health!

I leave you with this verse that has served much encouragement in my life:

” And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10

Check that out. HE makes us STRONG, FIRM, and STEADFAST—Sounds like a recipe for FANTASTIC health life!

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Filed Under: Featured, Good Living, Live Free, Mindset, Spiritual Tagged With: Fitspiration, scripture, spiritual 9 Comments

About Clare

Comments

  1. Deb Sanders says

    April 16, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Great word, Clare! Loved your comparisons, your scriptures, & your definitions. Very well written! Keep up the good work! I love reading your articles, always very insightful. God Bless!
    Deb.

    Reply
  2. Regina says

    April 16, 2014 at 8:01 am

    I needed to hear this. It makes complete sense. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Shelley Summerville says

    April 16, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    This is fantastic- I am totally keeping to share with my ladies in a class in a Health and Wellness ministry I run at our church. Thank you for writing this!

    Reply
  4. Melissa walker says

    April 17, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Praise The Lord! Great word!

    Reply
  5. Dorothy says

    April 17, 2014 at 9:13 am

    I just skimmed over this post yesterday …

    This morning, while walking the dogs, I was crying out to the Lord about my body type and my eating and exercise habits. I came back in the house and read this post. He spoke to me in the simple words of Psalm 127:1.

    Thank you, Clare

    Reply
  6. Ada says

    April 17, 2014 at 9:16 am

    Claire,

    Oh what a beautiful picture of what life can look like even here when we are restored daily by our God! I’m so thankful for your site- our focus has to be on restoration and letting His power in us fuel the renovation. Thanks for always keeping our eyes on Jesus while taking care of the house he blessed us with!

    Reply
  7. Janene says

    April 17, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    These thoughts were exactly what I needed to hear today! As a Christian sometimes we have to hear a something we’ve known in a fresh way! This was my fresh word! God bless you!!

    Reply
  8. Yara says

    December 8, 2014 at 4:05 am

    This post is of enormous encouragement. I have been battling illness, some serious and others seasonal, all throughout the year. I have sensed God telling me to exercise but with the physical challenges I get discouraged easily and give up. But to see His promise is eye opening to me. He will do it! I just need to take a step of faith. Thank you! May God bless you dear sister in Christ.

    PS. I will write Psalm 127:1 and post it prominently. His Word works!

    Reply
    • Yara says

      December 8, 2014 at 4:07 am

      I meant 1Peter 5:10! 🙂

      Reply

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